[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 243 (Monday, December 19, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 91956-91957]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-30452]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Wage and Hour Division


Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; 
Information Collections Application of the Employee Polygraph 
Protection Act

AGENCY: Wage and Hour Division, Department of Labor.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (DOL) is soliciting comments 
concerning a proposed extension to the information collection request 
(ICR) titled, ``Application of the Employee Polygraph Protection Act.'' 
This comment request is part of continuing Departmental efforts to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden in accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA). This program helps to ensure that 
requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden 
(time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are 
clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on 
respondents can be properly assessed. A copy of the proposed 
information request can be obtained by contacting the office listed 
below in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this Notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
ADDRESSES section below on or before February 17, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by Control Number 1235-
0005, by either one of the following methods: Email: 
[email protected]; Mail, Hand Delivery, Courier: Division of 
Regulations, Legislation, and Interpretation, Wage and Hour, U.S. 
Department of Labor, Room S-3502, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., 
Washington, DC 20210. Instructions: Please submit one copy of your 
comments by only one method. All submissions received must include the 
agency name and Control Number identified above for this information 
collection. Because we continue to experience delays in receiving mail 
in the Washington, DC area, commenters are strongly encouraged to 
transmit their comments electronically via email or to submit them by 
mail early. Comments, including any personal information provided, 
become a matter of public record. They will also be summarized and/or 
included in the request for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
approval of the information collection request.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Waterman, Compliance 
Specialist, Division of Regulations, Legislation, and Interpretation, 
Wage and Hour Division, U.S. Department of Labor, Room S-3502, 200 
Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20210; telephone: (202) 693-
0406 (this is not a toll-free number). Copies of this notice may be 
obtained in alternative formats (Large Print, Braille, Audio Tape, or 
Disc), upon request, by calling (202) 693-0023 (not a toll-free 
number). TTY/TTD callers may dial toll-free (877) 889-5627 to obtain 
information or request materials in alternative formats.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    I. Background: The Wage and Hour Division (WHD) of the Department 
of Labor (DOL) administers the Employee Polygraph Protection Act of 
1988 (EPPA), 29 U.S.C. 2001 et seq. The EPPA prohibits most private 
employers from using any lie detector tests either for pre-employment 
screening or during the course of employment. The Act contains an 
exemption applicable to Federal, State and local government employers. 
The EPPA also contains several limited exemptions authorizing polygraph 
tests under certain conditions, including testing: (1) By the Federal 
Government of experts, consultants, or employees of Federal contractors 
engaged in national security intelligence or counterintelligence

[[Page 91957]]

functions; (2) of employees the employer reasonably suspects of 
involvement in a workplace incident resulting in economic loss or 
injury to the employer's business; (3) of some prospective employees of 
private armored cars, security alarm and security guard firms; and (4) 
of some current and prospective employees of certain firms authorized 
to manufacture, distribute, or dispense controlled substances. The WHD 
may assess civil money penalties of up to $19,787 against employers who 
violate any EPPA provision. This amount increases annually due to the 
Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 
2015. On November 2, 2015, President Obama signed into law the Federal 
Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 to 
advance the effectiveness of civil money penalties and to strengthen 
their deterrent effect. Outdated penalties are a problem because civil 
penalties are less effective when they do not keep pace with the cost 
of living. The new law directs agencies across the federal government 
to adjust their penalties for inflation each year in January.
    II. Review Focus: The Department of Labor is particularly 
interested in comments which:
     Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
     Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected;
     Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the 
burden of the proposed collection of information, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
     Minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting 
electronic submissions of responses.
    III. Current Actions: The Department of Labor seeks an approval for 
the extension of this information collection in order to ensure 
effective administration of the Employee Polygraph Protection Act.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Wage and Hour Division.
    Title: Application of the Employee Polygraph Protection Act.
    OMB Number: 1235-0005.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit, Not-for-profit 
institutions, Farms, State, Local, or Tribal Government.
    Total Respondents: 593,400.
    Total Annual Responses: 593,400.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 68,739.
    Estimated Time per Response: 30-45 minutes.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operation/maintenance): $0.

    Dated: December 12, 2016.
Melissa Smith,
Director, Division of Regulations, Legislation and Interpretation.
[FR Doc. 2016-30452 Filed 12-16-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4510-27-P